Beat the brrr without the bill: 6 ways to stay warm while WFH

Obvious? Maybe, but people forget how effective efficient layering can be when it comes to keeping out the cold. ‘Layers are the best way to keep warm,’ agrees Yasmin Khan, John Lewis Partner and Product Development Technologist. ‘Air gets trapped between each item, making it harder for body heat to escape. Brushed cotton traps air particles, improving the insulating properties. And don’t forget that clothing made from man-made fibres, such as polyester, have thermal properties, too.’ 

Of course, not everyone has a job where they can turn up to a meeting in a fleece, but ‘if you’re joining video calls, one of our cashmere or wool jumpers is a stylish way to wear a layering piece at home with a top and thermal vest underneath,’ says Khan. ‘Natural fibres, like cotton and wool, are great as they’ll keep you warm. They also help to maintain your natural body temperature, so you’ll stay toasty but not hot because they’re breathable.’

Remember, layering applies to your bottom half, too – and the joy of working from home (besides being able to put a wash on when you like) means no one will ever see your thermal leggings and jogging-bottom combo. Bonus.

‘John Lewis offers a huge array of blankets to drape across yourself while working at home,’ says Khan. ‘A wool throw will keep you warm while being breathable, while snuggly fleece throws offer great thermal properties, too.’

When your body is trying to keep your core warm, it takes heat from your hands and feet, so avoid letting them get cold in the first place. We recommend wearing lined slippers with thick socks and investing in a pair of fingerless gloves to keep your hands cosy.

Can’t face turning off the heating completely? If you turn it down by just 1°C, you could cut your heating bill by up to 10%, according to the Energy Saving Trust. Also, an obvious one but something you may not have thought about: turn off any radiators that might be blasting heat into rooms that you're not using day-to-day. 

Every home worker knows the joy of having their hands clamped around a hot drink on a winter’s day. So, if you’re a prolific tea and/or coffee drinker and you’re investing in a new kettle, consider models that deliver a stay-warm function, such as the Sage Smart Kettle, which can keep water hot for about 20 minutes and is more energy efficient than reboiling. You can also adjust the temperature that it heats water to – perfect for drinks that don’t require 100˚C, such as green tea. And remember to only boil as much as you need – that alone will save you £6 a year, according to the Energy Saving Trust. 

It sounds obvious, but how about investing in a smaller heater that you can switch on and off throughout the day or even better, put on a timer. This Duux 360° heater is the perfect compact, must-try version that packs a powerful punch in only a couple of minutes. A top tip: keep it under your desk to keep your toes warm and the heat blasting up. 

If you choose not to have the heating on all day, you may still benefit from residual heat in the morning, according to Nest. Indeed, a smart thermostat will get to know your schedule and heating habits, adjusts your energy accordingly, and may save you money. ‘Nest calculated how much energy people would have used if they kept their homes at 20ºC all the time versus if they turned the heating down to 9ºC for seven hours at night,’ says Khan. ‘[Then, it] compared data from different Nest customers and found that they saved between 8.4% to 16.5% of energy usage [with a personalised plan].’ When you adjust your thermostat to an energy-efficient temperature, a Nest Leaf appears on the thermostat screen and app – but it becomes harder to earn a Leaf over time, which, in turn, encourages customers to save even more energy in the long run. Clever.